Razor blade sharpener



April 5, 1932. c. J 5055 RAZOR BLADE SHARPENER Filed June 28, 1950 INVENTOR. J. 5053 Maw ATTOR 'EY zar/35 WIHHIIOIII .IIL 1/1 til Patented Apr. 5, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE UHABLES J. 8058, OF ROSELLE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOB OF ONE-HALF TO JOSEPH 8085,

OF ROSELLE, NEW JERSEY' RAZOR BLADE SHARPENEB v Application filed June 28, 1930. Serial No. 464,479.

This invention relates to devices for use in sharpening the edges of razor blades or to remove the burrs or other rough edges from the cutting edges of blades of thecla-ss described to produce sharp, smooth cutting edges; and the object of the invention is to provide a device of the class described consisting of a body of suitable material having a smooth, glass, hard surface, preferably a glass body, over which the cutting edge of a blade is adapted to be passed to renew said edge; a further object being to provide 'a device of the class described having a semi-circular or arc-shaped surface, over which each cutting edge of the blade is adapted to pass in sharpening the edge or removing burrs therefrom, and still further to the provision of a device wherein both beveled sides of a double edge razor blade or a single edge razor blade may be engaged and sharpened in one position of the blade within the holder and in contributing an oscillatory movement to the blade in the holder; a still further ob ject being to provide a device of the class specified wherein the chamber of the device may be utilized for the storage of the safety razor blade holder to produce a compact and neat and finished product, which may be conveniently carried about, or which-may be mounted in connection with a suitable su port; and with these and other objects in view, the invention consists in a device of the class and for the purpose specified, which is simple in construction, efficient in use, and

' which is constructed as hereinafter described Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1, show-' ing a modified form of device.

Fig. 5 is a section on the. line 55 of Fig. 4; and, I

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, showing a modification.

In Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, I have shown one form of device for carrying my invention into effect, and in said figures, 10 represents a cup-shaped body formed from any suitable material having a smooth, hard, inner surface 10a. Said body is preferably formed from glass and has a base 11 whereby the same may be mounted upon or in connection with a suitable support. I

As seen in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the inner surface 10a terminates at the base of said body in a curved surface 10?), which is of the same contour transversely of said body, the curvature being such as to engage the beveled cutting edges 12a of a double edged razor blade 12, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The upper edge of opposed side walls of the body 10 have arc-shaped recesses 13, note Fig. 2, to receive rojecting trunnions 14 on a transverse sha t 15, said shaft including an angularly and downward- 1y extending,relatively long arm 16, arranged centrally thereof, and an upwardly directed short arm 17 Molded or otherwise formed around the shaft and thearms 16 and 17 is a body of rubber 18, which projects well below the arm 16 as seen at18a to form a cushioned end, capable of flexure, said end having on its lower surface, two or more projecting knobs 18?), adapted to pass through apertures 12b in the razor blade 12 to support said blade in connection with the member constructed from the arm 16 and covering 18. The covering 18 also envelo s the arm 17, and the upper 'surface is pre erably arc-shaped in form as seen at 18c and roughened to facilitate the oscillation of said member by placing the fingers of a hand or the palm of a hand upon the surface 180, and movin the hand back and forth, applying downwar pressure in this operation, so as to firmly engage the beveled edges 12a of the blade with the surface 101;. In this operation, it will be apparent that the trunnlons 14 will seat in the recesses 13 forming a pivoted axis for the oscillating member.

I also preferably employ a closure cap 19 having a peripheral retaining flange 20 for supporting the same against displacement upon the body 10. The central portion of said cap is depressed as seen at 21 and apertured as seen at 22to receive the oscillating member and to permit the oscillation of the protruding end formed by the arm 17 and its facing.

With the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, it will be apparent that the relative- 1y large body or member 18a at the lower end of the oscillating member will permit the movement of the razor blade into firm engagement with the surface 10?), and yet'provide a certain resiliency, due to the elasticity of said end. After one beveled side of each cutting edge has been sharpened, the oscillating member, together with the cap 19, is removed from the body 10 and the blade reversed and the above operation repeated so as to remove any burrs-or ragged edges that may prevail on the cutting edges of the blade. The device is intended for use in stropping or sharpening new blades, prior to their initial use as well as to resharpen or strop old blades to renew the cutting edges thereof.

In Figs. 4 and 5, I have shown a modified form of device designed for stropping or sharpening both beveled side edges of the cut ting edges of the blade, by imparting'inter mittent, rotary oroscillatory movement to the blade with respectto two arc-shaped surfaces.

In this construction, I provide an elongated, tubular body 23 which may be molded from any suitable material which can be finished into a hard and smooth inner surface,

said body being preferably formed from glass or similar material. While this tubular body may beof substantially the same diameter throughout its length, in some uses it would v be preferable to provide an enlarged base flange 24 which may be apertured as seen at 25 to permit its attachment to suitable supports, but this flange is not essential in portable articles. The bore of the body 23 isreduced at opposite sides'to form oppositely disposed arc-shaped surfaces 26-26a of 'sim-' ilar contour which join the larger diameter of said bore, represented at 27, through beveled surfaces 28, so as to permit the free movement of the cutting edges 2929a of a razor blade 29b upwardly onto the surfaces 26-26a respectively, as well as corresponding 'movement of saidedges over said surfaces, obviating any possible, sudden flexure of the blade,-

which might tend to break the same. Inter- 'mediate the surfaces 2626a, the "bore 27 is provided with inwardly projecting stop shoulders 30 which limit the rotary movement imparted to the-blade. Arranged centrally of the tubular body 23, is a vertical shaft 31, the lower end 32 of which is rounded to fit in a socket 23a in the bottom of the body 23, and the upper end of said shaft is supported in a cap 33 in screw threaded engagement with the body 23 as indicated at 34.

The upper end of said shaft has a projecting, beveled and split stud 35, with which a handle member 36 is detachably connected. The central portion of the shaft 31 is split to receive the blade 2%, and this central por tion, including the split therein, is covered with the body of frictional material 37, such for example. as rubber, whereby the blade 29?) will be frictionally held in' connection with said shaft to facilitate the placement of the blade and shaft in the tubular body 23 and the removal of the same therefrom.

It will be noted upon a consideration of Fig. 5 of the drawings, that the transverse dimensions of the blade 29?) is less than the diameter of the bore of the body represented by the reference numeral 27. In placing the blade 29b in the bore, one edge 29 will be so positioned in the bore as to operate upon the surface 26, whereas the other edge 29a will operate upon the surface 26a, and as the shaft 31, including said blade, is rotated by means of the handle member 36 or any other suitable means, the edges 29 and 29a will be passed over the surfaces 2626a in two directions to sharpen or strop both beveled sides of said edges, it being understood that the blade is flexed in this operation, so that the beveled surfaces of the blade will be in substantially parallel relation with respect to the surfaces 2626a, at least sufficient to produce the stropping effect to resharpen or reset said edges. It will require but a few oscillating strokes with the handle 36 to produce the desired result.

It .will also be apparent that with this construction, the tubular body 23 may also be used for the storage of the guard plate and member of the razor blade holder indicated in dotted lines at 39, and the handle member 36 may also be placed in said bore as indicated in dotted lines in said figure, thus forming a container for the entire razor equipment,

it being understood that the tubular body 23 will be sufliciently long to receive the handle members in question. The closure cap 33 will retain the parts against. displacement from the body23.

In Fig. 6 of'the drawings, I have shown another modification which diflers from the structures shown in Figs. land 5, simply in liu' backing edge 44?) is employed, and the blade is so mounted in the device as to oscillate over the surface 41 to sharpen and strop the cutting edge- Me. With this construction, it will be understood that the reinforced back 446 moves over the bore a of the device to form a backing for the blade to permit its fleXure in passing over the surface 41.

It will be understood that my improved devices may be formed of any suitable material, and when glass or similar molded material is employed, the same may be molded from colcred or variegated glasses to produce neat ornamental effects and to enhance the appearance of the device as a whole. While the closure caps 19 and 33 may be composed of glass, it is preferred that the same be composed of metal, celluloid, hard rubber, bakelite, fibre or similar material.

lt will also be apparent that my invention I modifications of the construction herein lit shown and described may be made Within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of my invention or sacrificing its advantages.

Having fully described my invention, what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A device. for sharpening double edged razor blades comprising a body having oppositely disposed, smooth hard surfaces, of a length at least equal to the length of the cutting edges of the razor blade to be sharpened, and means disposed between said surfaces for supporting a double edged blade and for moving the same over said surfaces, the dis-" tance between said surfaces being less than the distance between the cutting edges of said blade whereby said blade is flexed inpassing the cutting edges over said surfaces.

2. A device for sharpening double edged razor blades comprising a body having oppo sitely disposed, smooth, hard surfaces, of a length at least equal to the length of the cutting edges of the razor blade to be sharp ened, means disposed between said surfaces for supporting a double edged blade and for moving the same over said surfaces, the distance between said surfaces being less than the distance between the cuttingedges of said blade whereby said bladeis flexed in passing the cutting edges over said surfaces,

and means for operating said blade supporting means.

3. A device for sharpening double edged razor blades comprising a body having oppositely disposed, smooth, hard surfaces, of a length at least equal to the length of the cutsaid blade whereby said blade is flexed in passing the cutting edges over said surfaces, said body being tubular in form, one end of said body being closed and the other end open, and means for-supporting said first named means in the closed and open ends of said tubular body.

4. A dance for sharpenin double edged razor blades comprising a b0 y having oppositely disposed, smooth, hard surfaces, of a length at least equal to the length of the cut-' ting edges of the razor blade to be sharpened, means disposed between said surfaces for supporting a double edged blade and for moving the same over saidsurfaces, the distance between said surfaces being less than the distance between the cutting edges of said blade whereby said blade is flexed in passin the cutting edges over said surfaces, said body being cup-shaped in form, and a closure cap mounted in connection with the open end of said body, and means in said body and said cap for supporting and guiding said first named means in its movement in said body.

5. A device for sharpening double edged razor blades comprising a body having op ositely disposed, smooth, hard surfaces, of a length at east equal to the length of the cutmeans disposed between said surfaces for supting edges of the razor blade to be sharpened,

porting a double edged blade and for moving I the same over said surfaces, the distance between sald surfaces being less than the distance between the cutting edges of said blade N whereby said blades is flexed in passin the cutting edges over said surfaces, said ody being cup-shaped in form and a closurecap mounted in connection with the ,open end of said body, means in said body and said cap for supporting and guiding said first named means in its movement in said body, and means disposed outwardly of said ca and coupled with said first named means or actuating the same.

6. A device for sharpenin double fedged razor blades comprisinga b0 y having oppositely disposed smooth, hard surfaces, of a length at least equal to the length of the cut-. ting edges of the razor blade to besharpened, means disposed between said surfaces for supporting a double edged blade and for moving the same over said surfaces, the distance between said surfaces being less than the distance between the cutting edges of said blade whereby said blade is flexed in passing the cutting edges over said surfaces, said body being cup-shaped in form, and a closure cap mounted in connection with the open end of said body, means in said body and said cap for supporting and guiding said first named means in its movement in said body, means disposed outwardly of said cap and coupled with said first. named means for actuating the same, and means arranged outwardly of said can for actuating said first named means.

7 A razor blade sharpener of the class described, comprising an elongated, cup-shaped body, the bore of said body being of greater dimensions than the transverse dimensions of a razor blade to be sharpened, an inwardly projecting, hard, smooth, arc-shaped surface arranged longitudinally of the bore of said body, and means for supporting a blade operating member in the bore of said bodyand for moving the cutting edge of a blade supported thereby, relatively to said surface, the radius of said surface being less than the radius of the blade whereby the blade is flexedin passing over said surface.

S. A razor blade sharpener of the class de:

I scribed, comprising an elongated, cup-shaped 1 body, the bore of said body being af greater dimensions than the transverse dimensions of a razor blade to be (sharpened, an inwardly projecting, hard, smooth, arc-shaped surface arranged longitudinally of the bore of said body, means for supporting a blade operating member in the bore of said body and for moving the cutting edge of a blade, supported thereby, relatively to said surface, the radius of said surface being less than the radius of the blade whereby the blade is flexed in passing over said surface and said surface being composed of glass.

9. A razorblade sharpener of the class described, comprising an elongated, cup-shaped body, the bore. of said body being of greater dimensionsthan the transverse dimensions of a razor blade to be sharpened, an inwardly projecting, hard,smooth, arc-shaped surface arranged longitudinally of the bore of said body, means for supporting a blade operating member in the bore of said body and for. moving the cutting. edge of a blade supported thereby, relatively to said surface, the radius of said surface'being less than the radius of theblade whereby the blade is flexed in passing'over said surface and said'cup-shaped body being formed from colored glass.

-10. A razor'blade sharpener of the class described, c( mprising an elongated cupshaped body, the bore of said-body being of greater dimensions than the transverse dimensions of a'razor bladeto be sharpened, an inwardly projecting. hard, smooth, arcshaped surface arranged longitudinally of the bore of said body, means for supporting a blade operating member in the bore of said I body and for moving the cutting edge of a blade supported thereby, relatively to said surface, the radius of said surface being less body, means for supporting a blade operating member in the bore of said body and for moving the 1 cutting edge of a blade supported thereby, relatively to said surface, the radius of said surface being less than-the radius of the blade whereby the blade is flexed in passing over said surface, a cap detachably mounted in connection with the open end of said body, and means outwardly of said cap,

whereby said member may be actuated, said lastvnamed means comprising a handle detachable with respect to said member 12. A razor blade sharpener of the class described, comprising an elongated, cupshaped body, the bore of said bodybeing of greater dimensions than the transverse dimensions of a razor blade to be sharpened, an inwardly projecting hard, smooth, arcshaped surface arranged longitudinally of the bore of said body, means for supporting a blade operating member in the bore of said body and for moving the cutting edge of a blade supported thereby, relatively to said surface, the radius of said surface being less than the radius of the blade whereby the blade is flexed in passing over said surface, a cap detachably mounted in connectionwith the open end of said body, and means outwardly of said cap,whereby said member may be actuated, and the dimensions of the bore of said body being such as to support a razor blade holder within said bore'to form a unit container for the entire razor equipment.

13. A device of the class described comprising a cup-shaped body having a hard, smooth, inner surface, a cap detachably supported in connection with the open end of said body, a. bladesupporting member mounted in connecmy invention I have signed my name this 27th day of June 1930.

. CHARLES J. SOSS. 

